That Puget Sound

The Drolls

Independent release, 2022

http://thedrolls.bandcamp.com/

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 07/29/2022

A Seattle trio that features Josh and Denny of the pop-punk legends Sicko and Julie D from Guest Directors (currently) and Chinchilla, The Drolls play a smart and infectious brand of pop-punk which takes from the past but is also quite current in scope. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

“Getting Old” starts this debut album with crisp and soaring guitar, where the charged rhythm section and melodic singing brings us right back to the pop-punk of the ’90s. “Nobody Move” then follows and brings a dance floor-friendly spirit to the equation, as thumping drums and rhythmic guitar make quite an impression.

Approaching the middle, “Mythology” brings some modern indie-rock flavor into the warm songcraft that’s got plenty of grit, too, while “Worse Things” swirls loudly with a head bobbin’ and toe tappin’ demeanor that embraces some power-pop elements that you won't soon forget.

Although there isn’t a bad tune present, “Downstream” is particularly exciting, and showcases the band’s punk roots that are firmly intact alongside some alt-rock nods and indie-lite cautiousness.

“So Many Red Flags” and “Follow That Dinosaur” exit the listen, where the former displays bouncy bass lines amid punchy drums and jangly guitar, and the latter chugs with plenty of tunefulness while still being raw and punk rock at heart.

The legendary Kurt Block (The Fastbacks, Young Fresh Fellows) turned the knobs on this one, and did a great job of capturing the band's sound, which is as colorful as the artwork on this really impressive record.

Sure, most will gravitate towards The Drolls due to their former band's work, but this one succeeds on its own merits, i.e. clever, sometimes humorous and hook filled tunes that you'll just want to just want to hear again and again.

Rating: A

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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